Manipur: Farmers attacked in Kangpokpi’s Wako Thai, Kuki bodies say armed cadres linked to NSCN-IM
Imphal: Tension has been reported in Kangpokpi’s Twirling area along the Imphal-Tamenglong Road after three Kuki organisations said that armed cadres linked to the NSCN-IM and ZUF(K) attacked unarmed farmers at Wakotphai village.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the M. Wakotphai Village Authority, Tah Chapa Village Volunteers (Western Zone) and Kuki-Zo Village Volunteers (KZVV) Twilang Lhang separately condemned the incident and called for immediate government intervention to prevent further escalation.
According to the M. Wakotphai Village Authority, the farmers were attacked in what it described as an “unprovoked attack” by NSCN-IM cadres.
The KZVV, Twilang Lhang, said that the victims were unarmed Kuki farmers who had stayed overnight at a paddy-field hut near Naibet. It claimed that a combined group of Tangkhul-Liangmei Naga militants, reportedly operating under NSCN-IM leadership, carried out the attack.
The Tah Chapa Village Volunteers (Western Zone) said that the farmers were targeted while working in their paddy fields and said its volunteers intervened and launched a counter-action to protect the farmers. The group described its action as “purely defensive”.
The M. Wakotphai Village Authority urged the government to deploy adequate armed personnel in and around the village to ensure the safety of farmers and other civilians. It also called for a review of the ongoing peace process with the NSCN-IM, alleging that the ceasefire arrangement was being misused.
